Remembering Chandra Barot: Celebrated Director of “Don” Passes Away at 86
Mumbai: Chandra Barot, the iconic director of the classic film “Don” from 1978, has passed away at the age of 86. He died from medical complications at Guru Nanak Hospital in Bandra (East) on Sunday morning.
Barot’s wife, Deepa, shared that he had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the last seven years and succumbed to a cardiac arrest.
Apart from “Don,” Barot also directed the successful Bengali film “Ashrita” in 1990, featuring Mithu Mukherjee. His family originally hails from Tanzania, but they moved back to India in the 1960s due to racial turmoil. His sister, Kamal Barot, was well-known as a playback singer in Bollywood.
Before becoming a director, Barot collaborated with renowned actor Manoj Kumar, assisting him on several films like “Purab Aur Pachhim,” “Shor,” and “Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.”
The story behind “Don” is quite remarkable. Barot’s friend and cinematographer, Nariman Irani, was in a tough spot financially after his first film flopped. To support him, Barot, along with stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman, took part in “Don.” Sadly, Irani passed away in 1977 before the film was released. In a tribute, Amitabh dedicated his Best Actor Filmfare award to Irani.
At a time when Hindi films rarely had unique titles like “Don,” Barot faced some skepticism. His mentor once asked if he was making a movie titled “Down.” Barot clarified that “Don” is a Spanish word meaning “gentleman.” An insightful suggestion from Kumar led to the creation of the hit song “Khai ke paan Benaraswala.”
“Don” wasn’t just a hit; it became a cultural touchstone, leading to various remakes in different languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. The film celebrated a platinum jubilee and inspired newer adaptations like Farhan Akhtar’s “Don: The Chase Begins Again” in 2006.
Following Barot’s passing, many in the film community expressed their sorrow on social media. Farhan Akhtar posted a heartfelt message, saying, “Saddened to learn that the director of the OG Don is no more. RIP Chandra Barot-ji. Deepest condolences to the family.”
On a rainy Sunday, Barot’s funeral took place in a simple ceremony at the Kherwadi Hindu crematorium in Bandra (East), attended by close family and relatives. As those present paid their respects, memories of Barot’s legacy echoed, especially his own words: “I will be remembered as the man who made Don.”
